I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was in 4th grade at Osborne Elementary, and the whole student body was called for an assembly in the school gym. We, the students, didn’t know a whole lot about the situation, but there were plenty of rumors flying around. Basically, we knew we were in a “competition” to possibly earn a lot of new technology. When we got to the gym, there was a giant screen in the front playing a live feed of a meeting being held somewhere else in Pennsylvania. We sat anxiously through a lot of talking that didn’t make any sense at the time, just to hear those final words that would change our future forever: “...and the technology grant goes to… Quaker Valley School District, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!” The whole gymnasium erupted in cheer that lasted what seemed like forever.
I still don’t really know all of the specifics of how or why we were chosen for this giant grant, but I do know that it had an incredible impact on my whole entire educational experience all the way throughout graduation. I consider myself extremely lucky to have attended a public school with such amazing benefits. Ever since we got that grant, every student in our entire district was given Mac laptops to “keep” all the way until graduation. Also, the majority of classrooms were given smart boards, new projectors, and several brand new computer labs were built with the most up-to-date Mac desktops. Teachers were given Macbook Pro’s, and our library database was instantly more efficient. For me, being introduced to all of this technology at such a young age was truly a blessing. We instantly integrated this new technology into almost every aspect of our education. We were using our laptops all the time to make class more interesting and relatable. We now never needed to worry about a computer lab being full if we wanted to use computers as a class. There were charging carts in every single classroom so kids could leave their laptops at school if they didn’t want to bring them home every night. Things were changing right before our eyes, and we, too, were changing a little bit every day.
All of the new technology in our school had completely revamped our image, and the way we were viewed but everybody else. We were now known as the “technology school”, and that brought a lot of good things, but it also brought a lot of criticism. At first, a lot of parents weren’t so sure that this technology “over-load” was a good idea, especially for kids at such a young age. Our school adapted, however, and made a rule that the elementary students were not allowed to bring the laptops home overnight. Also, other schools instantly became hostile, calling us “poor little rich kids” and other names, even though our parents’ money had nothing to do with the new technology. However, as we grew up and technology became more prevalent in other schools, the hostility diminished and we were treated normally. Overall, the technology was a huge advantage, and something I will never regret being exposed to.
As far as technology in the future, I think it will have its upsides and downsides. Our world is moving towards an all technology atmosphere, so education has no choice but to adapt. However, I think in some scenarios, students still learn better from hard materials, rather than looking at a computer screen. As long as teachers and school administrators keep the technology in check, I think it will continue to grow and become more popular in the schooling system.
Technology will always be a part of my life, and I am extremely grateful that I was exposed to it at such a young age. Times are always changing and there will always be progression, but I take great pride in knowing that my school district was involved in such a groundbreaking event.
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